Sandhill Crane, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (click image to view larger)
Just this week my friend Ric and I settled on dates for a return trip in January to New Mexico's amazing Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Over 10,000 Sandhill Cranes and 20,000+ white geese (Greater Snow Geese, Ross's Geese) await us, along with tens of thousands of ducks, more than likely a few other bird species as well, and maybe a coyote or two just for fun.
The Sandhill Crane pictured here had just taken off from the partially frozen marsh where it had spent the night, and was probably on its way to the corn fields at the northern end of the refuge for a day of feeding and hanging out with friends. Not that it was alone during the night, as you can see a couple of dozen or so blurry cranes still hanging out in the marsh in the background . . .
WOW! That's quite a shot! Definitely one to "click" on for better viewing. Absolutely stunning!
Thanks so very much Kerri!